Skin signs due to psychiatric morbidity: Psychogenic skin excoriations in eating disorders

Abstract

Eating disorders are not frequent in patients with psychogenic excoriations. On the contrary, the frequency of psychogenic excoriations (and other self-injurious behaviours) is very high in patients suffering from eating disorders. Impulsivity, obsessive-compulsive characteristics, affect dysregulation, dissociation, self-criticising cognitive style and need for control were identified as potential factors involved in the association. Early trauma such as childhood sexual abuse and possibly certain characteristics of early family environment might contribute to the development of these factors. Care of patients with eating disorders could be very helpful for their psychogenic excoriations if these painful common traumas are considered. Psychogenic skin excoriations can occur in many patients suffering from eating disorders.